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RESOLUTION R-1617-36: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO THE CITIZENS OF NORMAN CONCERNING STATE QUESTION 777 (SQ 777), THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION, WHICH IS PLANNED FOR A STATEWIDE VOTE ON THE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016, STATE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT; INFORMING CITY VOTERS OF THE POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SQ 777 ON THE ABILITY OF THE CITY OF NORMAN TO REGULATE LAND USE ACTIVITIES AND TO ENACT OTHER ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS WITHIN THE CITY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF ITS CITIZENS; AND URGING ALL REGISTERED VOTERS WITHIN NORMAN, BEFORE CASTING THEIR VOTES ON SQ 777, TO CAREFULLY STUDY AND CONSIDER ALL THE POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SQ 777 ON THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF NORMAN RESIDENTS.
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BACKGROUND: The Oklahoma Legislature passed HJR 1012, on April 30, 2015, which authorized a state wide vote amending Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution. The proposed amendment, known as State Question 777 (SQ 777), will be on the ballot on November 8, 2016. State Question 777 guarantees the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices while prohibiting the State Legislature from passing any law which would abridge the rights of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranching practices without a compelling state interest for doing so. The proposed amendment reads as follows:
To protect agriculture as a vital sector of Oklahoma's economy, which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security and is the foundation and stabilizing force of Oklahoma's economy, the rights of citizens and lawful residents of Oklahoma to engage in farming and ranching shall be forever guaranteed in this state. The Legislature shall pass no law which abridges the right of citizens and lawful residents of Oklahoma to employ agricultural technology and livestock production and ranchi...
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